Right of way rules

Key points

1. Laws do not give anyone the right of way; they only say who must yield.

   Source: Handbook p. 42

   “Laws do not give anyone the right of way. They only indicate who must yield the right of way.”
   Wyoming Rules of the Road Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 42

2. With no signs or signals, yield to any driver from your right, no matter who arrived first.

   Source: Handbook p. 42

   “Where no signs or signals are in place, you must watch for any driver coming from your right and yield the right of way regardless of who first reaches and enters”
   Wyoming Rules of the Road Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 42

3. When turning onto a street or highway, yield to vehicles close enough to be dangerous.

   Source: Handbook p. 43

   “When turning onto a street or highway, yield to any vehicles close enough to be dangerous.”
   Wyoming Rules of the Road Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 43

4. At a four way stop, the first to stop goes first; if in doubt, yield to the driver on your right.

   Source: Handbook p. 47

   “At a four-way stop intersection, common courtesy requires that the driver who stops first should be permitted to go first. IF IN DOUBT, YIELD TO THE DRIVER ON YOUR RIGHT.”
   Wyoming Rules of the Road Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 47

5. If you enter an intersection while speeding, you forfeit any right of way you had.

   Source: Handbook p. 47

   “If you enter an intersection while violating the speed law, you forfeit any right of way you might have had.”
   Wyoming Rules of the Road Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 47

6. At a roundabout, slow down and yield to pedestrians and traffic already in the circle.

   Source: Handbook p. 48

   “Slow down as you approach the roundabout and yield to pedestrians and traffic already in the roundabout”
   Wyoming Rules of the Road Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 48

7. Yield to a pedestrian in a marked crosswalk on your side of the road.

   Source: Handbook p. 49

   “When a pedestrian is in a marked crosswalk on your side of the roadway with or without traffic control signals”
   Wyoming Rules of the Road Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 49

8. Yield to a blind pedestrian with a visible white cane or guide dog.

   Source: Handbook p. 49

   “When a blind pedestrian is carrying a clearly visible white cane or is accompanied by a guide dog.”
   Wyoming Rules of the Road Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 49

9. Bicyclists are vehicles with the same rights and responsibilities as other drivers.

   Source: Handbook p. 42

   “It is important to remember that bicyclists are classified as vehicles and are granted the same rights and responsibilities that operators of motor vehicles have.”
   Wyoming Rules of the Road Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 42

3 questions from the Wyoming practice test

1. 1. At an intersection with no signs or signals, which approaching vehicle receives priority under the manual's general rule?

   1. The vehicle coming from the driver's right
   2. The vehicle that is larger
   3. The vehicle traveling faster
   4. The vehicle whose driver flashes headlights first
   Show answer

   The vehicle coming from the driver's right. At an intersection without signs or signals, the manual instructs a driver to watch for traffic coming from the right and yield regardless of who first reaches or enters the intersection. Vehicle size, speed, and a headlight flash do not create the stated priority. Slow enough to evaluate the approach, scan left and right, and be ready for a driver who fails to yield. The key memory cue is right side plus no control devices, followed by a yield.

2. 2. At a four-way stop, who should normally go first?

   1. The driver on the left
   2. The driver in the largest vehicle
   3. The driver who stopped first
   4. The driver who is turning left
   Show answer

   The driver who stopped first. At a four-way stop, the driver who stops first should normally be permitted to proceed first. If arrival is uncertain, the manual gives a secondary cue: yield to the driver on your right. Vehicle size and turning direction do not automatically establish priority, and a driver should never insist on going first if doing so risks a crash. Approach under control, make eye contact when needed, and let the sequence remain predictable. The key is first stop, then right-side courtesy if doubt remains.

3. 3. What happens to your right of way if you enter a Wyoming intersection while violating the speed law?

   1. Nothing changes unless a police officer sees you
   2. You keep the right of way if you arrived first
   3. You gain priority because you reach the intersection sooner
   4. You forfeit any right of way you might have had
   Show answer

   You forfeit any right of way you might have had. The manual states that a driver who enters an intersection while violating the speed law forfeits any right of way that driver might otherwise have had. Arriving first or reaching the intersection sooner does not restore that priority, and the rule does not depend on whether an officer is watching. The point is that right of way is something other drivers give you, and speeding removes your claim to it. Approach every intersection at a lawful speed so the ordinary rules protect you.

Source: the Wyoming Rules of the Road Driver License Manual, Rules of the Road. This lesson is a plain English summary, not the law itself; where it differs, the manual and the statute govern. Last checked 2026-09-27.